IHA & Hunter Ice Skating
Stadium Win 2008 Event of the Year
 The
Division II World Men's Ice Hockey Championships won the 2008
Newcastle City Council Sporting Event of the Year. Dawn Watt,
event co-ordinator, accepted the award on behalf of Ice Hockey
Australia and the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. She had this to
say to the 300 strong crowd at the Awards Night:
"This event could not have been possible if it weren't
for the more than 100 volunteers from Newcastle, Sydney, and the
board of Ice hockey A ustralia
who took time from work and family commitments to help out. Some
of them are here tonight and I would like to thank each of them
individually but there simply isn't time.
Special mention must be given to certain people
who worked tirelessly for up to two years prior to the games.
Ruth Appleby from Newcastle Tourism who put together a fantastic
bid to present to the International Ice Hockey Federation in Switzerland;
Kevin Brown, Ice Hockey Australia Treasurer and men's team Chef
de Mission, who was involved in every aspect from the budget,
to chauffeuring dignitaries, to fixing the plumbing; and Garry
and Leanne Dore, wonderful friends and mentors who worked 18 hours
days during the games and who didn't laugh at me when I said we
should put in a bid to be the host rink for the Championships.
Most importantly though, this award is dedicated
to Don and Shirley Rurak, IHA President and Executive Officer,
whose lives they dedicate to the sport of ice hockey in Australia.
Their tireless efforts made the event the success that it was.
Don and Shirley could not be here tonight as they are currently
in China with IHA’s National Youth Team who won the Gold
Medal in their division yesterday.
Australia may not be a traditional ice hockey
country but we are certainly making our mark on the world stage.
Thank you."
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